President Muhammad Buhari was recently quoted as saying Bokoharam no longer holds territory in the north east. The president told UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon the insurgents had been dislodged from all strong holds they previously held. But just recent a statement by the US Africom commander is now contradicting that position. General Rodriguez told the US Senate Armed Service Committee that Boko Haram still holds significant territory in the North Eastern region. His statement contradicts the presidents statement and earlier statements by the military about the status of the campaign to defeat the insurgents in the north east. But security experts here see no reason to contradict authorities in Nigeria.
I have no reason whatsoever to doubt what my President had to say because he has access to information that even General Rodriguez does not have and like I said, What exactly is the currency of General Rodriguez’s Intel report? He might be talking about what is happening in a couple of months back or even last year” Said Chidi Omeje, Security expert
The Nigerian military has been killing dozens of Boko Haram insurgents and rescuing thousand of hostages too – An indication that the group is still around. While some think announcing defeat of the insurgents may be premature, Chidi thinks the insurgents have been significantly degraded although it could take completely end the insurgency.
“if you understand how terrorists work, they are quite fluid – they move from place to place, they are not static. If they are static, they will be cleaned up” Said Chidi Omeje, Security expert
Since assuming office in May 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari made defeating Boko Haram top on his agenda. In September last year, he gave his military Chiefs a 3 month deadline to defeat the terrorists. So much has been achieved since then. But it’s still not clear if the group still holds territories and how much is in their control.
Boko Haram in 2009 launched its campaign for an Islamic caliphate. Since then the group has killed more than 20,000 people. 2 million others have been displaced from their homes.
